Ed Sheeran set to drop new music later this year

Chart-topping star Ed Sheeran is set to release a number of secretly-recorded songs later in 2017

Ed Sheeran is set to release a number of secretly-recorded songs later this year.

The singer-songwriter recently returned to the spotlight after taking a year-long hiatus from the industry - and shortly after the release of his chart-topping album '÷', Ed is already preparing to release new material which he record in Ghana, with the likes of Fuse ODG and hip-hop duo R2Bees.

He told The Sun newspaper: "We made a bunch of music, one song made the album then there's more coming out.

"There's actually a full song being released with me, Fuse and R2Bees."

Ed visited Ghana in June 2016 to seek musical influences for '÷', which has proven to be a huge commercial success since its release in March.

Meanwhile, Ed previously revealed he is planning to make a movie.

The 26-year-old star said earlier this year that he planned to temporarily move away from the music industry and instead focus his attention on a Richard Curtis-style film.

He shared: "I really want to make a film that I do the soundtrack for and star in - that's my next thing.

"I look at a film like 'Notting Hill' and I think that's like a brilliant benchmark, or 'Once'. So if you were to mix 'Notting Hill' with 'Once', I would say that would be a good start.

"I don't think I will do an album as a soundtrack, but I will definitely put together a soundtrack with a bunch of my songs on it, but I don't think it will be an album."

Ed also admitted he already has some concrete plans in place for his latest artistic venture.

The 'Shape of You' hitmaker said: "I am in talks with one filmmaker that I really f***ing love and we are going to slowly but surely put something together.

"I would want to cast all unknowns. I want to have low-budget, indie, British-made film."